Malawian Vice-President Joyce Banda took over in the southern African nation on Saturday after the death of President Bingu wa Mutharika, and fears of a succession struggle receded as top officials and the army backed the constitutional handover.

Malawi President Bingu wa Mutharika has died after a heart attack, medical and government sources said on Saturday.
The 78-year-old was rushed to a Lilongwe hospital on Friday after collapsing but was dead on arrival, the sources said.